And now for a little peek into what we've been up to lately.
1. Everything is dark by five, leading to a resurgence of the freak 7PM nap. I always get a kick out of the freak 7PM nap, where you're just sitting down to watch some TV or a Christmas movie and then suddenly you're waking up and it's 9:00 out and you're thinking, "Who am I? And who's ready to party with me!?"
2. Finishing the last of the Christmas shopping. How are you guys hanging in over there? This year I abolished the "one for you/one for me" method of gift shopping, which is both sad and triumphant for me, all at once.
3. Emails and emails! And emails! Is December National Email month or something? I've suddenly reached DEFCON level thirty billion on my email situation, and at any given moment if I happen to glance at my computer I swear I see it scowling at me.
(PS AND RELATED TO #2 UP THERE IS THIS --> Octavia Bloom, maker of the beautiful necklace up there, is offering 25% off all jewelry for Hey Natalie Jean readers, which is a bonkers good deal. Use the code HOLIDAY25, and your mother-in-law is all set. :)
4. Paint me like one of your French girls, Sam! I got to stand in as practice subject for my friend Samantha, who is holding a 60-second portrait event in January and wanted to get a few in under her belt before show-time. It was very awkward and very fun, not to mention disappointing that she never asked me to take my top off.
5. It keeps on being Christmas, thank heavens! In one of my better impulse buys, this polar bear pajama onesie, which I found on 5th Avenue while I was out looking for organic coconut oil. When I wear it I become a cuddle magnet for both my boys, and my body temperature heats up to about two hundred degrees fahrenheit above healthy. It's kind of nice.
6. The Christmas tree at the Le Parker Meridien!
. . . And this burger hiding just behind those red curtains, eaten with a dear friend in from London.
7. Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn . . . is not as fancy as 5th Avenue in Manhattan. But every bit as cheery.
8. Over the weekend the Holbrooks performed an accidental Brooklyn Tour of Brunches, wherein we discovered that our Huck the Great is not a fan of brunch. I've never seen a child react so strongly to a fried egg on a spaghetti carbonara, what is this world coming to!? Luckily, he is a fan of selfies. As are we all. My favorite thing about these two boys is that when you put their heads together, their hair becomes so completely undistinguishable from each others', it's like some kind of magic. With our ginger powers combined . . . !!!
9. Brooklyn is killing it with the holiday bazaars. We wandered around Carroll Gardens over the weekend and stumbled into one, with crafts tables set up for the little tykes and fancy pickles all in the back. I sat with Huck for a few minutes while he happily crafted up a storm, and I had one of those moments, you know, where the room smelled just right and the kids buzzed busily and the Christmas song mix was on point and my sweater was just the right amount of fuzzy . . . winter hat hair as far as the eye can see, and nubbly woolen scarves and fingers warmed around a hot cup of cider. It was just beautiful. Gosh, we're pretty lucky sometimes.
10. BUT THIS IS A REALLY COOL CAR.
11. I found myself in "a mood" on Saturday evening, and managed to inhale Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, North & South, Wuthering Heights, Emma, and the first episode of Cranford (you guys) all without breaking for water. One of these days I'll get my insomnia under control. Until then, donuts for breakfast make a pretty decent substitute.
12. I got to attend "An Evening with the Director and Cast of Big Eyes" at the 92Y with one of my favorite friends and YOU GUYS. Tim Burton is astonishingly normal. Christoph Waltz is easily the most awkward interview ever. Full body cringing. Afterward, we had crinkle cuts + cheese sauce at the UES Shake Shack, got three free Shake Shack Christmas ornaments for having worn "Christmas sweaters" (it was an accident) . . . it was easily one of my favorite evenings in recent history.
13. Finally, reassuring posters in the subway.
Hey, I've got a kiss in my pocket for every single one of you. Happy Tuesday!
So interesting about the Big Eyes interview (and awesome about the post-Shake Shack ornament)! I really want to see that movie - the Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA a couple years ago had me intrigued.
ReplyDeleteWhich Emma? The one with Johnny Lee Miller I could watch a billion times. Was North and South good? I keep considering it every time I peruse the Netflix.
ReplyDelete-Emily Hansel
That's the coolest subway poster. And also, the freak 7PM nap! YES! We've been experiencing that over here too. But I'm not too mad about it!
ReplyDeletexo
That is quite the marathon!
ReplyDeleteashortblonde.com
For a brief moment I lived on 18th between 5th and 6th - I'm pretty sure you're super close based on pictures! Oh, how I miss that neighborhood. My husband and I keep talking about making plans to move back. You just can't say no to Brooklyn.
ReplyDeleteI love reading these posts! It makes me suddenly feel very happy with my sometimes quirky but usually boring life. You make fun, easy and simple sound so eloquent with your words :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a really lovely, simple post. Thanks for sharing your gentle writing with us and reminding me, in particular, to savor those little perfect family moments this time of year. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your posts! I really enjoyed your picture of Brooklyn and it's decorations :) Oh, and I'm jealous of that Polar Bear onesie!!
ReplyDeletexo
Rachel
You're last line made me smile. Hope you're havinga fantastic day x
ReplyDeleteYes! To donuts for breakfast.
ReplyDeletewww.ohheyblog.com
#1 made me laugh...because I totally figured it was just me. I get home from work like 6 and plan to work out...decide to lay down for a bit on my bed and look through emails then bam...tired eyes, i'll just sleep for an hour. haha.
ReplyDeleteCranford is the SHIT. "We will repair to our rooms, and consume our fruit in solitude." kills me every time.
ReplyDeletefantastic post and great photos!!
ReplyDeletewww.agoprime.it
Is Insomnia a December thing? I hear ya on that one sister. Gilmore Girls and Amy Poehler books and my own brewing brain all keep me from sleep these days. My Christmas shopping is on the low this year, twenty and starving, ya know? But I finished, and I was even kind of thoughtful although the gifts are on the less expensive side. And then I went to Saver's and got 50% off 16 sweater's for myself. HAHAHA! Oh, Christmas! Oh, Santa!
ReplyDeleteMy nap time happens from 9pm - 11pm. It's when my mom energy is most depleted during the day. My husband is always mentioning that I fall asleep before our toddler does. If one is going to have insomnia though, the best time of year is at Christmas, right? Pretty Christmas trees to help you endure the wee hours and all. Btw, virgin coconut oil is the best hair moisturizer I've ever used. I just got through a tub of it that I bought a year ago. Love that stuff.
ReplyDeleteMegan // www.lepetitverseau.blogspot.com
Best sign off :) Love this little catch up post
ReplyDeletexo
I love that truck! -Hanna Lei
ReplyDeletetake it off!!
ReplyDeleteLOL @ Samantha Hahn - better late than never! ;)
ReplyDelete